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Suggesting a Time: 'Let's meet at...'

Keywords
시간 / 만나다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
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TL;DR 🦄
  • ⏰ 몇 시에 만날까요? [myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?] — "What time should we meet?"
  • 🕐 ~시에 만나요 [si-e man-na-yo] — "Let's meet at ~ o'clock"
  • 🤔 ~시쯤 어때요? [si-jjeum eo-ttae-yo?] — "How about around ~?"
  • ✅ 좋아요, 그때 만나요 [jo-a-yo, geu-ttae man-na-yo] — "Sounds good, let's meet then"
  • 🔄 다른 시간은 어때요? [da-reun si-ga-neun eo-ttae-yo?] — "How about a different time?"
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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Head to the Korean Helper Widgets and listen to today's phrases at natural speed. The -ㄹ까요? [-l-kka-yo?] ending is your secret weapon for sounding natural when suggesting plans — practice it until it flows! 🌟
 

🌈 The Big Picture

When making plans in Korean, the friendliest way to suggest a time is with the question ending -ㄹ까요? [-l-kka-yo?], which means "shall we...?" — 몇 시에 만날까요? ("What time shall we meet?") sounds collaborative, not demanding. Once a time is on the table, you confirm it with ~시에 만나요 ("Let's meet at ~ o'clock"). Times are formed with the native Korean numbers + 시 [si] (o'clock): 한 시, 두 시, 세 시... ⏰

🎭 Negotiating the Details

Plans rarely lock in on the first try! Korean has great tools for the back-and-forth:
  • ~시쯤 [si-jjeum] — "around ~ o'clock," for when you want flexibility 🤔
  • 조금 더 일찍/늦게 [jo-geum deo il-jjik / neut-ge] — "a little earlier/later," for fine-tuning ⏳
  • 다른 시간은 어때요? [da-reun si-ga-neun eo-ttae-yo?] — "how about a different time?" for politely declining and re-proposing 🔄
  • 오전/오후 [o-jeon / o-hu] — AM/PM — always clarify these since Korean clock times alone (1-12) can be ambiguous! 🌅🌆

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • 몇 시에 만날까요? [myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?] — What time shall we meet? ⏰
  • ~시에 만나요 [si-e man-na-yo] — Let's meet at ~ o'clock 🕐
  • ~시쯤 어때요? [si-jjeum eo-ttae-yo?] — How about around ~? 🤔
  • 좋아요 [jo-a-yo] — Sounds good ✅
  • 다른 시간은 어때요? [da-reun si-ga-neun eo-ttae-yo?] — How about a different time? 🔄
  • 조금 더 일찍 어때요? [jo-geum deo il-jjik eo-ttae-yo?] — How about a bit earlier? ⏪
  • 조금 더 늦게 어때요? [jo-geum deo neut-ge eo-ttae-yo?] — How about a bit later? ⏩
  • 정시에 만나요 [jeong-si-e man-na-yo] — Let's meet exactly on time 🎯
  • 그 시간 괜찮아요? [geu si-gan gwaen-chan-a-yo?] — Is that time okay? 👍
  • 그럼 ~시로 할까요? [geu-reom ~si-ro hal-kka-yo?] — Then shall we make it ~? 🤝

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 내일 몇 시에 만날까요? B: 오후 3시 어때요? [A: nae-il myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo? B: o-hu se-si eo-ttae-yo?]
A: "What time should we meet tomorrow?" B: "How about 3 PM?" 🕒 — 오후 makes it clear this is afternoon, not 3 AM!
A: 6시쯤 어때요? B: 좋아요, 6시에 만나요! [A: yo-seot-si-jjeum eo-ttae-yo? B: jo-a-yo, yo-seot-si-e man-na-yo!]
A: "How about around 6?" B: "Sounds good, let's meet at 6!" 🤝 — 쯤 keeps it casual, then they lock it in.
A: 7시에 만나기로 했는데, 조금 더 늦게 어때요? B: 네, 7시 30분으로 할까요? [A: il-gop-si-e man-na-gi-ro haet-neun-de, jo-geum deo neut-ge eo-ttae-yo? B: ne, il-gop-si sam-sip-bu-neu-ro hal-kka-yo?]
A: "We agreed on 7, but how about a little later?" B: "Sure, shall we make it 7:30?" ⏰ — Renegotiating a plan smoothly.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!
민수: 지은 씨, 이번 주말에 영화 보러 갈까요?
[Minsu: ji-eun ssi, i-beon ju-ma-re yeong-hwa bo-reo gal-kka-yo?]
Minsu: "Jieun, shall we go see a movie this weekend?"
지은: 네, 좋아요! 몇 시에 만날까요?
[Jieun: ne, jo-a-yo! myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?]
Jieun: "Yes, sounds good! What time should we meet?"
민수: 오후 2시쯤 어때요?
[Minsu: o-hu du-si-jjeum eo-ttae-yo?]
Minsu: "How about around 2 PM?"
지은: 음... 조금 더 늦게 어때요? 1시까지 일이 있어요.
[Jieun: eum... jo-geum deo neut-ge eo-ttae-yo? han-si-kka-ji i-ri i-sseo-yo.]
Jieun: "Hmm... how about a bit later? I have work until 1."
민수: 알겠어요. 그럼 3시로 할까요?
[Minsu: al-ge-sseo-yo. geu-reom se-si-ro hal-kka-yo?]
Minsu: "Got it. Then shall we make it 3?"
지은: 네, 3시 괜찮아요. 그때 만나요!
[Jieun: ne, se-si gwaen-chan-a-yo. geu-ttae man-na-yo!]
Jieun: "Yes, 3 works. See you then!"

🧭 Speaking Tip

The ending -ㄹ까요? [-l-kka-yo?] is your all-purpose "shall we?" — use it for suggesting times, places, or activities (만날까요?, 갈까요?, 먹을까요?). And always pair clock times with 오전 (AM) or 오후 (PM) when it might be unclear — Koreans use the 12-hour system in casual speech, so "3시" alone could mean 3 AM or 3 PM! ⏰

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Saying a bare number like 3시 without 오전/오후 when the time is ambiguous → ✅ Say 오후 3시 to be clear.
❌ Using a flat statement (만나요) when proposing, sounding bossy → ✅ Use 만날까요? to sound like a friendly suggestion.
❌ Forgetting 쯤 when you mean "around" and accidentally sounding too rigid → ✅ 6시쯤 = "around 6," much more natural for casual plans.
❌ Not confirming the final time clearly → ✅ Always close with 좋아요, 그때 만나요! so both people are sure.
Great job — you can now suggest, negotiate, and confirm meeting times like a pro! ⏰✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Choose the best phrase or answer for each situation.
1. Translate: "What time should we meet?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
몇 시에 만날까요? [myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?]
2. Translate: "How about around 6?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
6시쯤 어때요? [yo-seot-si-jjeum eo-ttae-yo?]
3. Fill in: 좋아요, 그때 ＿＿＿＿. ("Sounds good, let's meet then.")
Answer
만나요 [man-na-yo]
4. True or False: -ㄹ까요? is used to make a friendly suggestion.
Answer
True → it means "shall we...?"
5. Translate: "How about a different time?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
다른 시간은 어때요? [da-reun si-ga-neun eo-ttae-yo?]
6. Fill in: 조금 더 ＿＿＿＿ 어때요? ("How about a bit earlier?")
Answer
일찍 [il-jjik]
7. Translate: "Let's meet exactly on time." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
정시에 만나요 [jeong-si-e man-na-yo]
8. True or False: 3시 alone always means 3 PM.
Answer
False → it could be 3 AM or PM; add 오전/오후 to clarify.
9. Fill in: 그럼 5시로 ＿＿＿＿? ("Then shall we make it 5?")
Answer
할까요 [hal-kka-yo]
10. Practice saying this out loud: 오후 4시쯤 어때요? 좋으면 그때 만나요! [o-hu ne-si-jjeum eo-ttae-yo? jo-eu-myeon geu-ttae man-na-yo!]
Answer
"How about around 4 PM? If that's good, let's meet then!" → A full proposal-to-confirmation chain!
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Vocabulary Box
  • 몇 시 [myeot si] → what time
  • ~시에 [si-e] → at ~ o'clock
  • ~시쯤 [si-jjeum] → around ~ o'clock
  • 오전/오후 [o-jeon / o-hu] → AM / PM
  • 일찍/늦게 [il-jjik / neut-ge] → early / late
  • 정시 [jeong-si] → exact time, "on the dot"
  • 그때 [geu-ttae] → at that time, "then"
  • -ㄹ까요? [-l-kka-yo?] → "shall we...?"
  • 어때요? [eo-ttae-yo?] → how about?
  • 괜찮아요 [gwaen-chan-a-yo] → it's okay / fine
Pitfalls 💡
  • Add 오전/오후 to avoid AM/PM confusion
  • -ㄹ까요? = friendly suggestion
  • 쯤 = "around," for flexible plans
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Suggesting a Time (시간 약속)
안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's master making time plans! ⏰✨
🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Proposing a Time 🗓️

A. Translate: "What time shall we meet?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
몇 시에 만날까요? [myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?]
B. Translate: "How about 5 PM?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
오후 5시 어때요? [o-hu da-seot-si eo-ttae-yo?]
C. Fill in: 3시＿＿＿＿ 만나요. ("Let's meet at 3 o'clock.")
Answer
에 [e]
D. True or False: 쯤 makes a time more exact.
Answer
False → 쯤 makes it more approximate ("around").
E. Translate: "Shall we go eat?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹으러 갈까요? [meo-geu-reo gal-kka-yo?]
F. Fill in: 오전 ＿＿＿＿ 시작해요. ("It starts at 9 AM.")
Answer
9시에 [a-hop-si-e]
G. True or False: 정시 means "around that time."
Answer
False → 정시 means "exactly on time."
H. Translate: "How about a bit earlier?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
조금 더 일찍 어때요? [jo-geum deo il-jjik eo-ttae-yo?]
I. Fill in: 그 시간 ＿＿＿＿? ("Is that time okay?")
Answer
괜찮아요 [gwaen-chan-a-yo]
J. Practice saying this out loud: 내일 오후 2시쯤 카페에서 만날까요? [nae-il o-hu du-si-jjeum ka-pe-e-seo man-nal-kka-yo?]
Answer
"Shall we meet at the cafe around 2 PM tomorrow?" → A complete proposal with time and place!
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Quick Reference:
  • Proposing: ~ㄹ까요?
  • Approximate: ~쯤
  • Exact: 정시에
  • Clarify: 오전/오후

Exercise 2 — Negotiating & Adjusting 🔄

A. Translate: "How about a different time?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
다른 시간은 어때요? [da-reun si-ga-neun eo-ttae-yo?]
B. Fill in: 조금 더 ＿＿＿＿ 만나요. ("Let's meet a bit later.")
Answer
늦게 [neut-ge]
C. True or False: 그럼 4시로 할까요? means "Then shall we make it 4?"
Answer
True
D. Translate: "I have plans at that time." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
그 시간에 약속이 있어요 [geu si-ga-ne yak-so-gi i-sseo-yo]
E. Fill in: A: 5시 어때요? B: 좋아요, ＿＿＿＿! ("Sounds good, see you then!")
Answer
그때 만나요 [geu-ttae man-na-yo]
F. True or False: You should always say "네" alone with no other words to agree on a time.
Answer
False → adding 좋아요 or 괜찮아요 makes the agreement clearer and warmer.
G. Translate: "Sorry, I'm busy at 3. How about 5?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
죄송해요, 3시에는 바빠요. 5시는 어때요? [joe-song-hae-yo, se-si-e-neun ba-ppa-yo. da-seot-si-neun eo-ttae-yo?]
H. Fill in: A: 7시쯤 어때요? B: 네, ＿＿＿＿. ("Yes, that works.")
Answer
괜찮아요 / 좋아요 [gwaen-chan-a-yo / jo-a-yo]
I. True or False: 시간 바꿔도 돼요? means "Can I change the time?"
Answer
True
J. Practice saying this out loud: 미안해요, 다른 일이 생겼어요. 시간 바꿔도 돼요? [mi-an-hae-yo, da-reun i-ri saeng-gye-sseo-yo. si-gan ba-kkwo-do dwae-yo?]
Answer
"Sorry, something came up. Can we change the time?" → A polite way to ask for a reschedule!
📚
Quick Reference:
  • Decline: 다른 시간은 어때요?
  • Adjust: 조금 더 일찍/늦게
  • Reschedule: 시간 바꿔도 돼요?

Exercise 3 — Full Conversations 🗣️

A. Suggest meeting for coffee tomorrow at 10 AM. ＿＿＿＿
Answer
내일 오전 10시에 커피 마실까요? [nae-il o-jeon yeol-si-e ko-pi ma-sil-kka-yo?]
B. Respond to "몇 시에 만날까요?" suggesting 7 PM. ＿＿＿＿
Answer
오후 7시 어때요? [o-hu il-gop-si eo-ttae-yo?]
C. True or False: 시간 맞춰서 갈게요 means "I'll arrive on time."
Answer
True
D. Translate: "Let's meet around 6 and have dinner together." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
6시쯤 만나서 같이 저녁 먹어요. [yo-seot-si-jjeum man-na-seo ga-chi jeo-nyeok meo-geo-yo.]
E. A friend proposes 9 PM but that's too late for you. Politely counter with 7 PM. ＿＿＿＿
Answer
조금 이른 시간이 좋을 것 같아요. 7시는 어때요? [jo-geum i-reun si-ga-ni jo-eul geot ga-ta-yo. il-gop-si-neun eo-ttae-yo?]
F. True or False: 늦지 않게 갈게요 means "I'll try not to be late."
Answer
True
G. Translate: "Let's finalize it at 4 PM then." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
그럼 오후 4시로 정해요. [geu-reom o-hu ne-si-ro jeong-hae-yo.]
H. Fill in: A: 언제가 좋아요? B: ＿＿＿＿ 다 괜찮아요. ("Any time is fine.")
Answer
언제든지 [eon-je-deun-ji]
I. True or False: It's polite to confirm a final time even after a long negotiation.
Answer
True → always end with a clear confirmation like 좋아요, 그때 만나요.
J. Practice saying this out loud: 그럼 토요일 오후 3시에 카페 앞에서 만나요. 좋아요? [geu-reom to-yo-il o-hu se-si-e ka-pe a-pe-seo man-na-yo. jo-a-yo?]
Answer
"Then let's meet in front of the cafe at 3 PM on Saturday. Sound good?" → A complete, confirmed plan!
📚
Everyday Cheat Sheet:
  • 몇 시에 만날까요? = What time shall we meet?
  • ~시쯤 어때요? = How about around ~?
  • 좋아요, 그때 만나요! = Sounds good, see you then!
  • 오전/오후 = AM/PM — always specify!
🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] You can now propose, negotiate, and confirm meeting times like a true conversational pro! ⏰✨